American/Welsh Exchange
Summary: AU. The Torchwood team, plus a few familiar faces from Doctor Who, are 16 year old students taking part in an exchange between their two schools.
Pairings: Jack/Ianto, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys.
Warning: M/M content and mild adult language.
Disclaimer -Torchwood and Doctor Who are the property of the BBC, RTD and SM but anyone you don't recognise are mine.
Chapter 1
It was the last week of summer, and Ianto Jones was excited for 2 reasons; one, he was going to be starting 6th form next week and, two, he was taking part in the school's exchange programme. This meant he would have an American living at his house for a year, and then he would be going to America to study there, for the second year.
Today was the induction meeting, where pupils and parents were to come into school to discuss the exchange.
When Ianto and his mam arrived at the school, Ianto left her to seek out his friends, Gwen Cooper and Owen Harper. Overall, a group of 10 students were taking part, including Ianto and his friends. When everyone had arrived, Dr Smith, the head teacher, began speaking.
"Welcome everyone! I hope you are as excited as I am to be taking part in this project. I have been talking to the head over there, who funnily enough is called Mr Smith, and he has sent us some information about the pupils who will be visiting us. So… Miss Tyler projector please… This is the school… Unlike us, they don't have a separate 6th form centre, but I'm sure you will be ok… Next slide please... This is Mr Smith…." He paused in his commentary, for a while, to let them all study the picture.
The American Mr Smith was quite thin with brown hair. He was wearing dark blue trousers, a striped shirt, a tweed jacket, with pads on the elbows, and a bow tie. Dr Smith, on the other hand, was wearing a blue suit, white shirt, red tie and converse trainers, and a long brown coat.
"Next slide please Miss Tyler... These are the students who will be joining us next week."
The slide showed a group of 10 students. There wasn't much order to the photo, Ianto thought. It looked like someone had shouted, 'photo,' and everyone had just squished together in a line. They all looked happy though, smiling at the camera. They were all wearing uniforms consisting of black trousers or skirts, white shirts, red and black striped ties and black blazers. They looked very smart.
"Look at him in the middle," Gwen whispered, close to Ianto's ear, "he's gorgeous. I hope I get him." As he looked at who Gwen was whispering about, he felt his heart skip a beat. Gwen was right, he was gorgeous. In Ianto's eyes, he was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. He was the tallest of the American students, by a good couple of inches; Ianto guessed he was just over 6ft. His dark hair was slightly spiked up, with a slight fringe, unlike himself. But the one thing that stood out the most was his blue eyes. They seemed to look right into his own, holding his gaze. He heard Gwen chuckle, and felt his face turn pink at being caught staring. He was thankful that his mam was not sat with them to see him react like this. She didn't know that he was bi. The only ones who did were Gwen, Owen and his ex, Lisa, who had left him when she heard him talking to Gwen about how good looking, the then new boy, Rhys Williams was. Unfortunately for him Lisa was taking part too.
He was about to voice his agreement with Gwen, when Owen whispered in his other ear, "Look at the Japanese one, she's hot." He looked at the girl in question. She appeared to be the smallest of the group, and was one of only 2 girls wearing a skirt. He had to admit, she was good looking, with her long hair flowing down over her shoulders, but he was far more interested in the gorgeous boy next to her.
At that moment, Dr Smith changed the slide, and all the students groaned. "You will meet them all next week. Right parents, this is the information you sent in with your children. I need you to check if you have the right living conditions for taking the American students. I will read out the children's names and you can tell me if I am right or wrong…" The head then read out everyone's name, checking that the students that were taking American pupils of the opposite sex had a spare room for them. They all did.
"Good. Right, Miss Tyler and I have given you all a partner, but we want to keep the names a surprise until next week, but we can give you the sex if you like?"
All the parents and children gave positive responses, all wanting to know at least something about the student that would be staying with them.
"Ok then…" He then began to tell them the sex of their American partners. "Is this ok for everyone?"
A chorus of 'yes' filled the room. Gwen then turned to Ianto and Owen and whispered, "I wonder who got the gorgeous boy…"
"…Or the hot girl," added Owen.
"Right… Since that's sorted, let's get to the actual exchange. As you know, we will be taking part in a 2 year exchange. The American students will be coming to us first, as their term starts before us, and we will be going to them next year. Miss Tyler and Mr Bennett will be going with you next year, and are here if you have any questions regarding your partners, or whatever... Also, as of next week we will be joined by Miss Jones and Mr Clarke. If anyone has the room we would appreciate you housing one of our adult guests for the year."
Mr Williams shouted out, "There's just me and Rhys in the house so we have the room to take Mr Clarke and let the kid have his own room."
"Thank you Mr Williams. Can anyone take in Miss Jones?"
Silence filled the room until Miss Tyler said,
"I will. I have a spare room and I'm on my own. It might be fun."
"Thank you Miss Tyler… Are there any questions regarding the exchange before you go?"
"Do we have to have the children in early to school on Monday?" asked Mrs Buttle.
"No. The American students should be with us between 10 and 11am, so you won't need to be early. Oh, before I forget, about this year, each student will take their American counterpart to all of their lessons. You have been paired off with students who have chosen the same subjects, so you won't need to worry when it comes to your turn. We have also set up a special curriculum between the two 6th forms, so both schools will be teaching the same things at the same time. Also, as a little treat, once a month, we will set up a weekend trip to visit some important U.K. sites. Mr Smith agrees with me that it is important for you to see more than just the school and its surroundings, so you will be doing the same when you go there. Anyway, back to now… Next week, students, you will go to your first tutorial lesson and then we will all meet in the hall, ready for their arrival at 10. I will give you more information then. Thank you for coming, Mrs Buttle, Mrs Williams, I have some information for you regarding dietary requirements I need to see you about, but the rest of you can go. Have a good last week and I will see you all at the start of term."
Xxxx
The next day, the American Mr Smith had the same idea, and set up a meeting with his students and their parents.
"Right… Well…. Hello…. I have just been sent an email by my Welsh counterpart and I will be able to show you the group of students who you will be staying with. Unfortunately, I can't put names to the faces because Dr Smith in Wales wants it to be a surprise for you."
He put the photo up on the interactive whiteboard and handed out photocopies to his students. When Jack got his, he quickly looked down the row of girls, sitting on chairs, before scanning the row of boys stood behind. He turned to his best friend Tosh, who was sitting beside him looking at her own picture, "Who would you like?"
"I don't really mind who I get, as long as she's friendly. What about you?"
"I don't mind… Although, if I had a choice, I'd pick him, he's cute," he said pointing to a dark haired boy wearing black jeans and a red t-shirt. Tosh leaned over to inspect the teen under Jack's finger. She nodded and smiled, agreeing with her best friend's opinion.
"Right… You will be leaving on Sunday morning, staying in a hostel Sunday night and getting to the school Monday morning. I know it'll be a long day, but Dr Smith has assured me that you will have an easy first day. I have asked Miss Jones and Mr Clarke to go too, so if you have any problems there go to them. This is important students: if you have a problem with who you are staying with please let us know. You will be with them for 2 years, we can easily switch you. Ok, on a lighter note, you will notice that this school 6th form is non-uniform, so you won't have to wear a blazer for a year. (All the students cheered at that) So have fun and I will see you on Sunday."
Xxxx
The week passed really quickly, with Ianto spending most of his free time organising his room for the American he would be living with. He was so nervous when he got on the bus to school on Monday, what if he didn't get on with his partner?
As he got on the bus, he heard the familiar shout of, "Hey Ianto, over here," as Gwen waved him over. She was sat at the back with Owen, who seemed relieved that Ianto had arrived, to divert some of Gwen's attention.
"Are you excited? I am. I hope it's one of us who gets the gorgeous boy. I just know he will end up with me by the end of the year. Well, unless he's gay of course, in which case you can have him Ianto." Ianto blushed, why did she have to say it so loud?
"I hope one of you get the Japanese girl. If you do, you have to let her know how fantastic I am."
Both Gwen and Ianto burst out laughing at Owen.
"Hey!"
Xxxx
The first tutorial lesson passed and they were all in the hall listening to Mr Smith.
"… If you have a problem with your partners please tell us, we can switch you o.k. Right, they will be here in a minute, please make them feel welcome. I have organised the first trip to be at half term, to give you all a chance to settle in, we will be taking a 3 day trip to London. Please ask your parents to fill out permission slips and send the money in before the last week of half term. …"
He stopped as the door opened to reveal a mocha skinned woman and a black man, followed by a group of students. They all sat down on the opposite side of the hall.
"Welcome! I am Dr Smith and I am the head of Cardiff High School and 6th form centre. I will also be teaching Physics, for those of you who have chosen Physics. Anyway, let's find out who you will be with shall we!" There were cheers all around the hall as Dr Smith tried to find his list. "Right, I will give you your partner's name, and a timetable pack for you both, and then we can take a tour of the school. O.K;
Max Buttle and Luke Jackson (They got up shook hands and sat at the back.)
Molly Buttle and Lillie- May Jackson (hey hugged and sat at the back with their twins.)
Gwen Cooper and Toshiko Sato (They got up and Gwen pulled Tosh in for a hug, before sitting at the back.)
Samantha Davies and Dean Taylor (Dean gave her a kiss on each cheek, before they sat down)
Lisa Hallet and Angela Brown (they shook hands before going to sit alone at the back.)
Owen Harper and Nick Wilson (They shook hands and sat with Gwen and Tosh)
Ianto Jones and Jack Harkness (They got up and shook hands. When they touched, it felt like electricity to the pair of them. Ianto blushed and Jack smiled. This is going to be a good year, Jack thought to himself. As they walked to the back, Gwen gave Ianto a wink, causing him to turn a deeper shade of red.)
Amy Pond and Star Lee-Clark (They hugged and sat at the back.)
Rhys Williams and Santiago Mendez (Rhys gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder and came and sat at the back, close to Gwen but not quite close enough to talk.)
And that leaves Rory Williams and Jessica Moore (Rory gave her a hug and looked at his girlfriend Amy, who looked a bit shocked, before sitting next to her.)…" Dr Smith carried on talking about aspects of the exchange, but some of the students weren't listening.
"Gwen Cooper, pleased to meet you," she said, holding out her hand to the handsome teen.
"Jack Harkness. Nice to meet you too, Gwen Cooper." He shook her hand and gave her a flirtatious smile.
"Gwen, please. And this is Owen… and Ianto, who you already know."
"Hi. This is Nick and my best friend Toshiko."
"Most people call me Tosh."
"…Allons-y everyone, let's take a tour!" Dr Smith suddenly shouted.
"He sounds as mad as Mr Smith," muttered Nick to Jack and Tosh.
"I don't know about your Mr Smith, but our Dr Smith is a right laugh," said Owen, hearing his partner's comment.
As they followed the headmaster, Jack found himself sandwiched between Ianto and Gwen. He'd been trying to ask Ianto about himself since leaving the hall, but he hadn't been given a chance, Gwen wouldn't stop asking him questions.
"….So Jack, do you have a girlfriend?"
"No, no girlfriend. How about you lot?" He wasn't about to tell them about him being gay…yet.
"No. Never have…. Ianto did have a girlfriend, until she heard he liked guys too."
"Gwen!" Ianto blushed again. He looks even cuter when he blushes, and he likes guys. This really will be a good year, Jack thought.
"What? It's not like any of us care!"
"Yes, but if mam finds out…."
"I don't think she'd mind mate, your mum's cool," said Owen. Ianto sighed, Owen was probably right, he was just afraid that she'd be disappointed with him.
"So Ianto," asked Jack, finally, "Who lives at home with you?"
"Well…" he began, happy to change the subject, "there's Mam, Rhiannon, who's 21, and Elizabeth, or Lizzie, who's 11. How about you?"
"I live with my gran and my little brother Gray, who's 8."
"I have one brother Lucas who's 29, so we don't see him… So Tosh do you have any siblings?" asked Gwen
"No, just me."
"Same with me, my mum died when I was 7 and I never knew my dad. Now I live with my auntie and uncle and my 4 cousins, Suzie, Katie, Louise and Penny. How about you Nick?"
"I have 5 brothers and sisters, Caitlin, Scott and Olivia who are older and Rachael and William who are younger."
After a few minutes silence, they heard Dr Smith say "… So that's the school. Any questions?" Giving no time to ask he continued, "No. OK. You have been excused from lessons until after lunch, so while you're waiting, I want you to get to know your partners."
Relieved that they didn't have to go to lessons for a few hours, the newly acquainted 6 headed for the picnic tables outside the 6th form block.
"So what do you want to be when you leave school?" asked Gwen, as everyone sat down.
"RAF pilot!" said Jack instantly, sliding onto the table beside his partner. "Ianto?"
"I think I want to be a teacher, Tosh?"
"Something with computers, I don't mind what, Owen?"
"Doctor. Nick?"
"No idea…maybe a builder, like my dad. Gwen?"
"Copper! What do you all have after lunch?"
"Biology," said Owen and Nick.
"Chemistry," added Tosh.
"Physics," sighed Jack.
Xxxx
Ianto was nervous waiting outside the physics classroom that afternoon. The prospect of the full hour alone with Jack, for the first time, made him a bit on edge. He couldn't understand where the intense feelings for him had come from. He knew he liked boys, but he'd never felt like this before, this was something else. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Jack's hand on his shoulder, sending a bolt of electricity coursing through his body.
"Are you ok?" he asked.
"Yeah, just thinking… It's nothing." Jack loved the way Ianto talked. Ianto's Welsh accent did things to him he didn't know he could feel again, after his ex-boyfriend treated him so badly. He had to have this boy no matter how long it took.
When Dr Smith arrived the 6 waiting pupils quietly followed him into the classroom. Unsure of where to sit, Jack followed Ianto to a table in the middle of the room, and sat beside him.
"Right… Physics… Physics… Physics, physics, physics…" began Dr Smith.
"Is he always like this?" whispered Jack in Ianto's ear. After he got over the tingling he felt at Jack's warm breath on his neck, he leaned over and whispered back, "Pretty much, yeah."
"Today we will be doing a kind of GCSE revision session thing… Can anyone tell me what the main particles are in all things? Just shout it out, don't be shy!"
"Protons, Neutrons and Electrons!" said Ianto, as the other 5 people in the class, Jack included, sat with vacant expressions.
"Well done Ianto. Does anyone know what elements are in water?"
Again blank expressions were plastered on same 5 faces.
"H2O, Hydrogen and oxygen."
"Excellent Ianto. Come on everyone, wake up! Ok, let's try this one, can anyone tell me one element in the air we breathe?"
"Oxygen!" said Jack.
"Yes, Yes, Yes!" shouted Dr Smith punching the air. "Finally someone other than Ianto awake… Let's move on. For the rest of the lesson I want you to read chapter 1 and make notes on anything you don't understand, so I can go over it next lesson. If you don't finish the chapter, you can finish at home."
They sat reading quietly for a few minutes; the only sound in the room was the scratching of pens on paper, until Jack whispered in Ianto's ear, "Can you help me with physics? I don't understand much, my Gran made me take it, like my father did when he was at school."
"No problem," he whispered back, with a smile that made Jack's insides jump.
After science, all the exchange pupils had English Literature. The advantage was that they were all in the same class, so could do any homework together. The English teacher, Miss Noble, was a very outgoing teacher and was keen to get them all involved as best she could.
"Right you lot, today we will be starting to study Shakespeare and his plays. Has anyone any suggestions on which play to study first?"
"How about Romeo and Juliet?" suggested Gwen.
"Ok. Right… Owen, can you and Gwen hand everyone a copy of the play please?"
As they walked around the room, handing out books, Miss Noble continued talking about what the play was about, so that they would have a bit of knowledge before they started reading.
"I need some volunteers to read please."
Jack and Gwen's hands shot up.
"Excellent Romeo and Juliet sorted. Anyone else?" Jack nudged Ianto and Gwen nudged Tosh, who reluctantly raised their hands.
"Great you two read each of the fathers' and mothers' parts. Anyone else?"
Nick grabbed Owen's wrist and put both their hands up, much to Owen's annoyance.
"Excellent Nick you play Mercutio and the Apothecary. Owen you are Tybalt and the Nurse… I will do the rest," the teacher announced, when no other pupils offered to read.
They started to read and got up to act 3 before the end of the lesson.
"Homework! I want you to try to convert Act 1 scene 1 into modern day English ready for Friday's lesson. Bye."
The group sighed a collective sigh, having finished their lessons for the day, and hurried to get on the bus home.
Xxxx
When Ianto got home to find the front door locked, he figured that his mam was still at work and his sister was still at college. He knew that Lizzie had gone to a friend's house that night, or she would have been on the bus with them.
The Joneses lived in a little house on the outskirts of Cardiff. It was quite small but to them it was perfect. As Jack entered, and took a look around, he sighed, it was just like his Gran's cottage, but bigger. He didn't notice Ianto staring at him, trying to work out his opinion, until he asked,
"Do you like it?"
"It's perfect… Where's your room?"
Ianto led Jack round the house. The living room, kitchen/dining room were downstairs, and upstairs were the 4 bedrooms and the bathroom. As they went upstairs Jack was looking at the pictures going up the wall. All were of children at different ages. His favourite was in the middle; a girl of about 10 years old sat in an arm chair, with a tiny baby in her arms, and a little boy, he assumed was Ianto, sat on the arm, looking at the baby. Ianto saw him looking and explained,
"That's Lizzie when she was 2 weeks old; I was 5 and my sister Rhiannon was 10… My room's this way."
Jack followed Ianto along the landing to the last door on the left. Ianto's room was quite big. It had two beds against the walls, with a cabinet in the middle, as well as the usual bedroom furniture, and a T.V on the edge of a desk. Next to the desk stood a bookshelf crammed with books. On the top sat more pictures. Jack went to take a look. He picked up one photo. It was Ianto as he was now, with his arms around two girls that stood on either side of him, one older and one younger. He assumed that was Rhiannon and Lizzie. He put it down and picked up the next one.
"That's me and my Tad, before he died. We didn't know mam had taken it, we were too busy watching the snow out the window."
Jack put it down and picked up the last picture. "Is that your mum?"
"Yeah, with Lizzie. I took that. I was 7." He was stopped from adding anything else when a voice called,
"Ianto! Cariad are you home?"
"I'm here mam," he shouted as he ran downstairs. He hugged his mam and said, "Mam, this is Jack."
"Nice to meet you, Mrs Jones."
"Please call me Gwyneth. It's nice to meet you Jack. Make yourself at home. I had hoped to be home before you boys but the traffic from Swansea was terrible. Are you boys hungry? I can make tea early."
"A little bit, yes please mam."
"Ok. Do you like spaghetti Jack? I'm afraid that and chicken are a must in this house"
"Yes I do Mrs… Sorry Gwyneth."
"Excellent. It should be ready in about an hour. Now you boys go and do your homework and then you can relax for the night."
They went back upstairs and sat on the floor, opening Romeo and Juliet and laying it next to them.
"Shall we do it together and just change the wording around a little?" suggested Jack.
"Ok."
Xxxx
Just as they had finished, Gwyneth called them for tea. When they came down Ianto's sisters were sat at the table.
"Rhiannon, Lizzie this is Jack," said Ianto.
"Hello Jack," said Lizzie.
"Hi Jack," said Rhiannon.
After tea, spaghetti bolognaise, both boys went back to Ianto's room to finish their physics homework. By the time they had finished, with Ianto explaining some of the terms to Jack, it was 9pm, so they decided to go to bed.
Jack was sat in bed waiting for Ianto to return. Ianto had said that he could use the bathroom first, as he was a guest. When he came back into the room Ianto was wearing a white t-shirt and red sleep shorts. As soon as Jack saw him his chest started doing backflips, god he was gorgeous. When he saw Jack's grin, Ianto blushed and got into bed, not used to so much attention.
"Goodnight Jack," he said as he turned out the light.
"Goodnight Ianto," replied Jack. Tomorrow he would put his plan into action. He didn't want to wait to have Ianto in his arms.